I have seen the paddle wheelers
Rolling south on a summers' day.
I've seen the lovers at the guardrails
With stars in their lemonade
And I've heard the hobo's gather,
Heard their banjo's brace the blade.
Heard them sing about the river,
Called it the lazy man's parade.

Sing me that song about the river,
Green going away.
You know I always did feel like a drifter
'Bout this time of day.

Last night I stood by the highway,
Pretended I was on my way.
You know a hundred thousand headlights
Couldn't match the milky way
And when the moonlight touches the water,
Surely somethin' touches me
And I go reachin' for the river
Like it's reachin' for the sea.

So, Sing me that song about the river,
Green going away.
You know I always did feel like a drifter
'Bout this time of day.

Somethings go on forever
But truth don't ever stray.
The wind may brush the water
But the river won't persuade.

So, Sing me that song about the river,
Green going away.
You know I always did feel like a drifter
'Bout this time of day...